WATCH ABOVE: Penny Cook talks behind-the-scenes of Ladies in Lavender courtesy of the Ensemble Theatre.
A Country Practice actress Penny Cook, has died, aged 61.
In a statement made via her management, it was revealed that the veteran TV actress passed away from cancer last night (26 December).
“It is with great sorrow that her family wish to advise that the much loved Penny Cook, beloved partner, mother, daughter, sister, and dear friend, died peacefully last night, of cancer, surrounded by family,” the statement read.
“The family wish to express their thanks for all messages of condolence forwarded to them.”
“Penny made a specific request that no flowers or gifts be sent,” the statement continued. “If, however, people wish, they should make a donation (in her name) to Monkey Baa Theatre Company for Young People or Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Penny Cook has passed away from cancer, age 61. (Source: Getty)
Playing veterinarian Vicky Dean from 1981 to 1985, Cook fast become a beloved staple on Aussie screens.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph in 2016, Penny spoke about the character which gave her national fame.
“I realised at the audition that she would be part of my life forever,” she said, not realising that she would also be a driving force behind Australian television pop culture.
Penny Cook on the cover of TV Week mag. (Source: TV Week)
Cook graduated the prestigious drama school, NIDA in Sydney in 1978 and went on to be a star of the stage and screen.
After making it big on A Country Practice, she then went on to work on the Royal Flying Doctors, before becoming a presenter for The Great Outdoors.
Penny was also a star of Aussie theatre and in 2015, starred in Ladies in Lavender at the Ensemble Theatre (watch video above).
Most recently, she played a nurse on the ABC hospital drama, Pulse, and in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, revealed how thrilled she was that her new younger colleagues had grown up watching her on TV.
“They were very sweet about meeting Vicky the Vet,” she mused.
“What I loved about the show was it gave me confidence in myself again.
“I came home to the family one day and said, ‘I just realised I do know stuff!’, which you forget.”
She was also a multi TV WEEK Logie award winner.
Tributes have begun to pour in on Twitter with Angela Bishop starting the tributes:
“To “A Country Practice” fans, she will always be Vicky the vet, but Penny Cook was a brilliant actress, director, storyteller and tv presenter as well as a passionate advocate for young people in the theatre through Monkey Baa and @ATYP_Theatre #RIPPennyCook ,” she wrote.
Penny is survived by husband David Lynch and daughter Poppy.
A private cremation will be held for the actor and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date for the wider community.
WATCH: Simon and Vicky on A Country Practice.
